AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Han Young-hoon
  • Gold Holds Steady as Markets Watch U.S. Hormuz Shipping Plan, U.S.-Iran Talks
    Gold Holds Steady as Markets Watch U.S. Hormuz Shipping Plan, U.S.-Iran Talks International gold prices were little changed as investors weighed a U.S. plan to steer some ships away from the Strait of Hormuz and hopes for progress in U.S.-Iran talks. Demand for safe-haven assets eased somewhat, but gold avoided a sharper drop as energy prices stayed elevated, tempering expectations for interest-rate cuts in major economies. Bloomberg reported that spot gold in Singapore trading on Monday morning was $4,609.23 an ounce (about 6.78 million won), down 0.1%. It traded around $4,620 an ounce (about 6.80 million won) during the session. Gold has posted a second straight weekly decline and is down about 12% since the outbreak of war in late February. Markets are focused on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Hormuz initiative. Trump said on social media the previous day that the United States would begin, from the 5th, guiding some vessels not related to the Iran conflict away from the Strait of Hormuz. He also said “positive talks are underway” with Iran. Tensions, however, have not fully eased. Trump previously suggested Iran’s latest peace proposal alone might not be enough. If energy prices rise further due to the war, inflation pressure could build again, weakening expectations for rate cuts by major central banks. That would weigh on non-yielding gold. U.S. fiscal and monetary policy events this week are also in focus. Investors are watching the Treasury’s borrowing plans for the next three months, remarks from Federal Reserve officials, and key economic releases including monthly employment data. The updates are expected to offer clues on the future path of interest rates and the direction of the U.S. fiscal deficit. Over the medium to long term, bullish views on gold remain. The World Gold Council said central bank gold purchases in the first quarter rose 17% from the previous quarter to 243.7 metric tons. Bloomberg said that was the fastest pace of increase in more than a year. Bloomberg also reported that Tether Holdings has continued buying gold and has become the world’s largest known holder outside banks and governments. At the same time, spot silver rose 0.3% to $75.57 an ounce (about 110,000 won), while platinum and palladium also gained. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell 0.1%. The index tracks the dollar’s value against currencies of major trading partners.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 10:55:01
  • Iran Warns US Against Hormuz Shipping Escort Plan, Calls It Ceasefire Violation
    Iran Warns US Against Hormuz Shipping Escort Plan, Calls It Ceasefire Violation The United States said it would move to help ships transit the Strait of Hormuz, drawing an immediate warning from Iran that any U.S. involvement in a new maritime order there would be treated as a ceasefire violation. According to AFP on 4, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, wrote on X that “any U.S. intervention in the new maritime order of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire.” AFP said the comment came shortly after President Donald Trump announced a plan to support passage through the strait. Trump said in a social media post the previous day that the United States would begin “safely guiding” ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz starting the morning of 5. The U.S. Central Command told The Associated Press the concept could involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 troops. Trump called it a humanitarian measure but warned of a strong response if it is obstructed. Iran views the plan as destabilizing the ceasefire framework. AP reported that Iran pushed back by labeling U.S. involvement a ceasefire violation. The three-week ceasefire appeared to be holding, but tensions were rising again over control of the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global seaborne oil and gas shipments. The United States says Iran’s control of the strait and disruptions to transit threaten international energy flows, while Iran has signaled it intends to keep that leverage as a bargaining chip.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 09:43:14
  • Trump Says U.S. Will Help Free Ships Stuck in Strait of Hormuz, Details Unclear
    Trump Says U.S. Will Help Free Ships Stuck in Strait of Hormuz, Details Unclear 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령이 호르무즈 해협에 발이 묶인 선박을 빼내기 위한 미국의 조치를 시작하겠다고 직접 밝혔다. 트럼프 대통령은 이번 조치를 중립국을 위한 인도주의 대응이라고 설명했지만, 구체적인 실행 방식은 공개하지 않았다. 이번 조치는 미 해군이 선박을 직접 호위해 빼내는 방식보다 운항 재개 지원에 더 무게가 실린 것으로 보인다. 로이터에 따르면 트럼프 대통령은 3일(현지시간) 자신의 SNS 트루스소셜에 “미국이 월요일 아침부터 호르무즈에 갇힌 선박을 도와 자유롭게 하겠다”고 썼다. 다만 미 해군의 실제 투입 여부와 항로, 이동 방식, 참여국 등 세부 내용은 설명하지 않았다. 백악관과 미 국방부도 추가 설명을 내놓지 않았다. 이번 발표는 단독 조치라기보다 미국이 며칠 전부터 추진해온 다국적 해상 공조 구상의 연장선에 가깝다. 미국 정부는 지난달 28일자 국무부 전문에서 해상 자유 구상(MFC) 창설을 승인했다. 국무부와 국방부가 함께 추진하는 이 구상에서 국무부는 각국 정부와의 외교 조율을 맡고, 국방부는 중부사령부를 통해 해상 교통 조정과 선박 소통을 지원하는 방안을 상정했다. 초점은 군사 충돌보다 통항 질서 복원에 있다. AP는 이번 조치의 명칭을 ‘프로젝트 프리덤’이라고 소개했다. 보도 내용도 군함을 앞세운 직접 호송보다 선박 이동을 돕는 데 초점이 맞춰져 있었다. 국제해사기구(IMO)는 지난달 24일 “호르무즈 해협 어디에도 안전한 통항은 없다”고 밝혔다. IMO는 “약 2만명의 선원이 여전히 이 지역에 발이 묶여 있다”고 했다. IMO는 보험사와 선사, 선원이 모두 위험이 낮아졌다고 판단할 때 운항 재개로 이어질 수 있다는 취지의 메시지를 내놨다. 미국이 추진하는 MFC도 각국 정보 공유와 외교 조율, 해상 교통 관리, 업계 협력을 묶는 방향으로 설계됐다. 로이터는 트럼프 발표 뒤 브렌트유와 서부텍사스산원유(WTI) 가격이 하락했다고 전했다. 시장이 호르무즈 통항 차질 완화 가능성을 반영한 것으로 해석된다. 다만 위험은 여전하다. AP는 트럼프 발표와 같은 날 호르무즈 인근에서 화물선이 소형 선박들의 공격을 받았고, 최근 수주간 드론과 미사일, 소형 선박 공격이 이어졌다고 전했다. 이란은 여전히 해협 통제권을 자국 주권 사안으로 보고 있다. AP에 따르면 이란은 비미국·비이스라엘 선박의 제한 통과 입장을 유지하고 있다. 미국이 자유 항행을 말하는 순간, 이란은 자국 통제 아래 제한 통항 원칙으로 맞서는 구도다. 2026-05-04 09:33:23
  • Trump Signals Doubts About Iran’s New Peace Proposal, Says It Would Be Hard to Accept
    Trump Signals Doubts About Iran’s New Peace Proposal, Says It Would Be Hard to Accept U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced skepticism about a new peace proposal from Iran, effectively rejecting Tehran’s idea of ending the war and resolving issues tied to the Strait of Hormuz first while postponing nuclear talks. According to Reuters, Trump said on May 3 local time that he would review the proposal Iran recently delivered, but added, “It’s hard to imagine it being acceptable.” He also said Iran “has not yet paid a big enough price.” Reuters reported that Trump had earlier said he was not satisfied with the proposal and later said he would confirm the exact wording. The dispute centers on sequencing. Iran wants an end to the war and the lifting of a maritime blockade addressed first, with the nuclear issue discussed in a later phase. Reuters said the approach conflicts with Washington’s existing demand that Iran accept strong limits on its nuclear program before the war ends. The Associated Press also reported that Trump was doubtful the new proposal could be accepted. AP said Iran’s semi-official Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that a 14-point proposal was delivered through Pakistan. Iranian media said the 14 points include a U.S. withdrawal of forces from the region, lifting the blockade, releasing frozen assets, compensation, sanctions relief, ending fronts including in Lebanon, and a new system for controlling passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran argued that delaying nuclear talks could make an agreement easier to reach.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 08:45:59
  • CNN: U.S. Iran War Costs Could Reach $50 Billion, Double Pentagon Figure
    CNN: U.S. Iran War Costs Could Reach $50 Billion, Double Pentagon Figure The cost of the U.S. war with Iran could reach $50 billion, CNN reported, about double the $25 billion the Pentagon has publicly cited. CNN and Reuters reported on the 30th that the Defense Department told Congress the previous day that the war had cost $25 billion so far. CNN, citing multiple sources, said the actual total could be $40 billion to $50 billion. Reuters said most of the Pentagon’s $25 billion estimate was for munitions, and it was not specifically confirmed whether the figure included rebuilding and repair costs for U.S. bases in the Middle East. Officials cited by CNN said the higher estimate reflects restoration costs for U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Reuters reported that Jules Hurst, the acting Pentagon comptroller, told Congress that most of the $25 billion was for munitions. Reuters previously reported that in the first six days after the war began, U.S. costs alone were estimated at at least $11.3 billion. CNN’s latest report again highlights that the financial burden could exceed the official figure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 16:33:55
  • Iran Says It Can Share Military Experience With China-Russia-Led SCO
    Iran Says It Can Share Military Experience With China-Russia-Led SCO Iran said it is ready to share its military experience and defensive capabilities with members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional security bloc that includes China, Russia and Central Asian countries. The remarks signaled Tehran’s interest in expanding security cooperation with the SCO after its recent clashes with the United States and Israel. According to Times of Central Asia and Reuters on April 30, Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaei-Nik told an SCO defense ministers meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, that Iran was “ready to share defensive weapons capabilities and experience with independent countries, especially SCO member states.” He added that Iran could also share “the experience of America’s defeat” with other members of the organization. Times of Central Asia reported the comments were made at the Kyrgyz-hosted meeting and that Iran, by offering its recent war experience to other members, underscored the gathering’s geopolitical context. The reference to “America’s defeat” reflects Iran’s framing. Tasnim described it as sharing “war experience against the United States,” while Reuters reported that Iran delivered the message after its recent clashes with the United States and Israel. A ceasefire was announced earlier this month, but follow-up diplomatic talks have shown little progress.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 14:53:41
  • Iran Soccer Federation Leaders Turned Back at Canadian Airport, Miss FIFA Congress
    Iran Soccer Federation Leaders Turned Back at Canadian Airport, Miss FIFA Congress Iran’s soccer federation leadership was blocked during the entry process in Canada and was unable to attend the FIFA Congress. Reuters and The Associated Press reported on April 29 (local time) that a delegation including Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, Secretary-General Hedayat Mombeni and Vice President Hamed Momeni arrived in Toronto with valid visas but ran into problems at the airport and returned on the first available flight. Iran said the delegation turned back because of “unacceptable conduct” by Canadian immigration authorities. The Canadian government declined to discuss individual cases but said its policy barring entry to senior officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, remains in place. AP said Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand effectively confirmed the refusal. As a result, the Iranian delegation missed both the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Vancouver and the FIFA Congress. The incident renewed debate over Iran’s participation and travel issues ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. FIFA has not issued an official statement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 14:39:47
  • Google Signals Possible Ads for Gemini, but No Immediate Plans
    Google Signals Possible Ads for Gemini, but No Immediate Plans Google has left open the possibility of adding advertising to its AI assistant, Gemini, though it has not confirmed any immediate rollout. On April 29 (local time), Google Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler said in a post-earnings Q&A that the company is currently focused on the Gemini app’s free tier and subscriptions. “Advertising can be a way to expand a product to a broader user base, and if designed appropriately it can be useful commercial information,” Schindler said. He added that Google is “not rushing,” and said the company would share plans “at the right time” if it has them. Business Insider reported that Google is already running advertising and commerce experiments centered on AI Mode and AI Overviews, the AI-generated summaries shown at the top of search results, and said Gemini could also become part of longer-term monetization discussions. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported first-quarter revenue of $109.9 billion, up 22% from a year earlier. CEO Sundar Pichai said the Gemini app delivered “the biggest quarter ever” for a consumer AI product. Alphabet’s total paid subscribers reached 350 million, including YouTube and Google One. AI spending is also rising quickly. Alphabet’s first-quarter capital expenditures topped $35 billion, and its full-year capital spending outlook is as high as $190 billion. As AI infrastructure investment grows, market pressure may increase for clearer monetization plans for services such as Gemini. 2026-04-30 14:29:47
  • U.S. Pushes New Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz, WSJ Reports
    U.S. Pushes New Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz, WSJ Reports The United States is working to form a new international coalition to restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported. The effort comes after President Donald Trump declared the strait “fully open,” yet vessel traffic has not returned to normal, the report said. Citing an internal State Department cable sent to U.S. embassies, the Journal said the department on April 29 (local time) instructed diplomats to urge foreign governments to join the new group. The initiative is called the “Maritime Freedom Construct,” or MFC, and would be U.S.-led, combining information sharing, diplomatic coordination and sanctions enforcement, according to the report. The plan follows prolonged disruptions in Hormuz transit. The Journal reported that Iran has laid mines and attacked oil tankers passing through the strait without its approval. The U.S. Navy, meanwhile, has maintained a blockade on vessels broadly traveling to and from Iranian ports. Restoring normal passage has also emerged as a key issue in stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran, the report said. The cable suggested the coalition could go beyond a diplomatic forum. U.S. officials were told to ask whether partner countries would be willing to participate not only as diplomatic partners but also as military partners. The Journal said the MFC “is not a military alliance.” The report described a division of roles under the concept: The State Department would serve as the hub for diplomatic operations, while U.S. Central Command would handle real-time maritime information for commercial shipping and coordinate intelligence sharing among participating militaries. Trump has also made clear he intends to keep the blockade in place. The Journal reported that he told aides on April 28 to prepare for a long-term blockade until Iran accepts U.S. nuclear demands. Speaking to reporters on April 30, Trump called the blockade “genius” and said it is “100% airtight.” He also said the United States could continue “war and the blockade” if Iran does not agree to give up nuclear weapons. The new coalition push differs from Trump’s earlier approach of pressing allies, particularly in Europe, to address the Hormuz issue. In late March, he publicly urged Europe to solve the problem on its own and made remarks suggesting Britain and France should go to the strait and handle it directly. He later criticized NATO as a “paper tiger,” arguing it was not providing enough support. Europe has been preparing its own response. Britain and France held a meeting with more than 50 countries to discuss ways to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz after the war, the Journal reported. While U.S. officials have criticized Europe’s efforts as slow and bureaucratic, the cable included language saying the MFC could be complementary to existing maritime security plans led by Britain and France, according to the report. 2026-04-30 11:18:43
  • Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Call on Ukraine Ceasefire Idea and Iran
    Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Call on Ukraine Ceasefire Idea and Iran U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Reuters/Yonhap) U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone and discussed the war in Ukraine and the Iran issue. Putin said he was prepared to declare a ceasefire during the May 9 Victory Day period, and Trump said the call went well. Reuters reported that Trump said after the call that they discussed “a bit of a ceasefire” in Ukraine. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the conversation lasted more than 90 minutes. The Kremlin said Putin told Trump he was ready to announce a ceasefire during the Victory Day period, and Trump responded positively. The proposal appeared limited to a specific time frame rather than a full ceasefire or a broader agreement to end the war. Trump described the tone of the call as “good,” but said he told Putin that ending the war in Ukraine should come first. Iran was also discussed. Reuters said Putin offered ideas related to Iran’s enriched uranium issue. Trump said Putin wanted to be involved, but that he wanted to end the Ukraine war first.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:56:07